Research: my goal for 2012

It seems that most years by default are full of research for me. I love to learn so I end up information-gathering without being very deliberate about it. But I have a different plan for this year! I've made a list of things I'm interested in that I want to learn more about or pursue on a deeper level than that of my current knowledge. This list may change and grow as the year progresses:

1. Child-rearing/homemaking
I have been on a continual quest for knowledge in this area for a few years now, but I'd like to be more deliberate about raising children for the Lord - specifically how to teach them about Jesus in an everyday way. I'm soon going to be an aunt! :)


2. Vaccinations
Pretty much everything in me is completely against vaccinations for both adults and children, but I'd like to make an informed decision about it. I do all I can to avoid all forms of medication too and have found (since being vegan) that I no longer have stomach aches, headaches (rarely - when I've had refined sugar usually), and colds are very mild if I get them at all. My philosophy is that proper nutrition allows our bodies to work as God intended them. Medication just suppresses the symptoms instead of dealing with the real issue.


3. The Constitution/Bill of Rights
I've supported Ron Paul for president for a number of years, but have not ever been as interested in him or what he stands for (the Constitution) than the last 6 months. I think this is in large part due to my interest the last two years in understanding the way the Kingdom of God works. Ron Paul's ideals are directly in line with how the Kingdom operates and I support him for that more than for any other reason, which is why I intend to read his books on liberty and freedom and become more educated on things that really every American should know. We are entering the fight of our lives in many more ways than just this election.


4. Etiquette
There is so much to learn from wonderful eras gone by. I'm not of the opinion that the etiquette of 100 years ago necessarily has to be discarded. I think formal and casual can intermingle and frankly I'm just disgusted with the manners of this culture. I want something different and more in line with what's important to me. How is it that so much of the time we are just following what others do and assuming that's the only way to do something? I'm guilty of this in some areas and intend to put a stop to it. Individuality is a treasure. Never leave it in your bedroom.


5. Crocheting/sewing
Material items no longer have value. They're cheaply made and when they break, you buy a new one. I want to learn new ways of crocheting and perhaps make some clothing for myself or some other projects that can have actual value for people (not including horrific sweaters and meaningless crafts just for the sake of 'handmade'). When my Great-grandma died last year, I had the privilege of being able to go through her things and much of it was handmade (lots of clothing). I value those items more than any others and I want to also be able to pass along things I've labored over to the next generation.


Is there anything you're currently researching? If you have any resources you'd like to pass along on any of these topics, please leave a comment!

2011 Book Re-Cap

2011 was a good year!

I read a total of 18 books (you can find the list at the bottom of this blog), surpassing my book goal of reading 15 books + the Bible. I did not read the entire Bible, but including the books I did, the total reaches 29. I also (audio)read Pride and Prejudice 10 times, which is a record. It seems to come alive in different ways the more I read it and is by far my absolute favorite book. Additionally, I would consider The Chronicles of Narnia as a real highlight of reading in 2011. If you haven't yet read it, you absolutely must! The Biblical parallels and sheer genius of character and plot construction brought me to tears at times.

My reading goal for 2012 will be the same: 15 books + deliberate Bible reading

Book goal reached!

Last night I officially reached my goal of reading 15 books in 2011. Most were physical books too, which makes me happy. Audiobooks are easier, but I love the feel of paper in my hands.

Before I continue on in my book-reading, which will include at least 2 more books this year (required for a class I'm taking at church), I'd like to quickly review some of the books I've read...


1. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
I love this series. I think I read them 15 years ago, but hadn't since and what a delight! So well-written, funny, engaging, and caused some very welcome theological mind explosions. Highly recommended!

2. "Dispatches from the Edge" by Anderson Cooper
Excellent book. I do really enjoy Anderson Cooper generally, so maybe I'm a little bias here, but the book is very well-written and was an eye-opener for me. Caused some tears for sure. I listened to the audio version which Anderson narrated himself. If I remember correctly, there's some brief unwholesome language and maybe an inappropriate scene or two. You can get a free copy from audible.com/american if you've never taken advantage of that offer before.

3. "Heaven is for Real" by Todd Burpo
I think this was a generally good book. Enjoyable read. A good introduction to visits to/visions of Heaven. I would suggest other books more readily like "Visions Beyond the Veil" by H.A. Baker and anything by Heidi Baker, Kris Vallotton, Bill Johnson, Mike Bickle, Jack Taylor or any other person in the current move of the Holy Spirit.

4. "Becoming Jane: The Wit & Wisdom of Jane Austen" by Anne Newgarden
This is a small book, but beautifully laid out. The author provides quotes from Jane to emphasis the chapter topics. I have many favorite authors, but Jane Austen has to be my absolute favorite, I think mostly because she so perfectly understands human character. I fail often as a writer of fiction because I can't stand to write characters that have realistic flaws. I would rather them be completely submitted to Christ and even already in their eternal perfected state. :) But Jane...she writes people as they really are and then shows how their character is changed (or unchanged) by circumstances and experiences. They gain wisdom and apply it. So this book honors Jane nicely. And as a soon-to-be-first-time aunt myself, my favorite quote comes from the final Acknowledgments by Anne Newgarden: "And, of course, my thanks to the brilliant Jane Austen, whose life and words are always an inspiration, and who makes me proud to be a maiden aunt." Jane's life is, perhaps, a beautiful celebration of the richness of female singleness.

Sound

beauty all around us :)

"Sound" from SoundCloud on Vimeo.

Kurt Halsey

A package I have been eagerly waiting for arrived yesterday containing this!

I just adore Kurt Halsey's art. This particular piece is a print framed by him and signed on the back. When I saw it, it nearly took my breath away and I knew I had to have it.

Of course my brother is the one who introduced me to Kurt's art about 9 years ago. Matt has the best artistic sense of anyone I know.
Kurt is also vegan and was one of the first people to expose me to the lifestyle by way of a link with some info on his website. He was even willing to answer some questions about it via email when I was first starting out. Check out some of his other stuff if you like what you see!

Friday Five - July 15

1. What is the longest distance you’ve traveled (in one trip) by foot?
Would not be more than a few miles.

2. What is the longest trip you’ve taken by car?
my hometown in PA --> Cheticamp, Nova Scotia, Canada - 1165 miles
Cedar Rapids, IA --> Sussex, NB Canada - 1662 miles

3. What is the longest trip you’ve taken by plane?
Rochester, NY --> McAllen, TX - 1903 miles

4. What is the longest trip you’ve taken on some kind of water craft?
not many miles on a whale watch - don't like boats

5. What is the longest trip you’ve taken aboard a bus or train?
not far, just school trips when i was younger.

Friday Five

I didn't like any of the posted questions for today, so I found these:

1.What's your favorite Dr. Seuss book?
"A Fly Went By" -- seriously, if you haven't read this book, you need to! so fun!

2.What's your favorite tree?
Maple

3.What's the longest you've gone without sleep?
I believe 30-something hours. It was probably during my college years.

4.What's your favorite Neil Diamond song?
"Songs of Life" from The Jazz Singer. This is actually my favorite scene in the movie...unfortunately bad audio. (Yes, my mom adored him so of course I still know all his older songs by heart.)


5.Who's your favorite Muppet?
Kermit! I have had a serious crush on Kermit for as long as I can remember. :)

Friday Five

I stole this idea from Liz, who stole it from someone else. :) These questions can be found at The Friday Five. Also, I make no guarantee I will keep this up weekly as my intentions of being a consistent blogger always fall short of success.

1. What is your favorite way to travel (ship, place, car, train, etc)? Car, but I'd like to try train one of these days.

2. Who is your favorite person to travel with? My friend Diana or my mom.

3. What is the best vacation you've ever taken? Either Nova Scotia for my family reunion 3 years ago, or to Indiana. My family used to go to Indiana every summer to visit my great-grandma and it's become another home to me.

4. Where will your next vacation be to? "Vacation" - I honestly hardly ever go on vacations. My last one was technically in May when I joined my mom, aunt and grandma to clean out my great-grandma's house. I took a week off for the first time in a few years. My next trip will be to Pittsburgh for a few days in August as the maid of honor in one of my best friends' weddings.

5. If you had the time and money to go anywhere you wanted, where would you go? Italy or Europe in general, across country in the US, New Brunswick to visit my college roommate (then to NS to visit Liz!), Midwestern states